ATM fee now 250bt

[mikeymike100]

What with this and now Thai banks making it more difficult to open a bank account for foreigners, it's almost like they don't want us in Thailand??

Well just for the money....

[SMIAI]

TAGTHAi Easy Pay, not ThaiPay. 🤦‍♂️

 

https://www.tatnews.org/2025/03/tourist-e-wallet-tagthai-easy-pay-now-available-for-international-visitors/

 

Looks like nothing special...

 

You have to exchange your currency at a Kasikorn booth which is then loaded on to a card, which is linked to the application.

So you already lose out by exchanging your currency at a relatively poor rate. For example 31.26919 vs 32.43.  That's an up to 3.6% forex charge to potential customers from the USA. Though if you exchange US$100 bills you can get a better exchange rate, dropping the cost to around 1.34%.

For Europeans, it looks to be around a 2% exchange rate fee.

 

 

[cdemundo]

I use my SCB balance to pay local bills and those who I can pay by transfer to their bank account.

For cash I withdraw from a Charles Schwab account in the US.

Each month Schwab refunds all ATM fees from other banks.

Nice benefit, I don't know of other banks that provide it.

If you can have a US account it might be an option.

[Will27]

22 hours ago, transam said:

Why.........?  🤔

Because he's a dick.

[mrmicbkktxl]

21 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Inflation seems like it's here to stay, it's just a fact of life, so the fee is now $1 more than it was previously, it's not going to have a particularly dramatic effect on most of our lives. As they say, it is what it is. 

 

I think the best workaround is to have a significant amount of money transferred from your overseas account to your Thai account of your significant other, a few times a year and then just withdraw from your local account. Fewer tax implications and lower ATM fees. 

I do both,but I don't want to send a huge amount of money to thailand because they will tax me.

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, mrmicbkktxl said:

I do both,but I don't want to send a huge amount of money to thailand because they will tax me.

There's been a lot of debate about that but if you send it to your Thai woman or to a Thai friend you can trust, according to attorneys I've spoken with it's a pretty effective work around. 

[Thailand J]

Bank robbery. 

[Everyman]

5 hours ago, cdemundo said:

I use my SCB balance to pay local bills and those who I can pay by transfer to their bank account.

For cash I withdraw from a Charles Schwab account in the US.

Each month Schwab refunds all ATM fees from other banks.

Nice benefit, I don't know of other banks that provide it.

If you can have a US account it might be an option.

 

Citi provides such refunds if you are in the “Gold” relationship tier with at least $200,000 US on deposit. 

[Everyman]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

There's been a lot of debate about that but if you send it to your Thai woman or to a Thai friend you can trust, according to attorneys I've spoken with it's a pretty effective work around. 

 

Never mind that’s a terrible idea in every other way. 

 

Better to take your chances with the revenue department. 

[FritsSikkink]

On 7/1/2025 at 10:27 AM, Everyman said:

I’ve done some Googling around and it looks like Thai ATM fees are now the highest standardized fee in the world. 

Need to use google better: https://asianbankingandfinance.net/news/which-countries-charge-highest-atm-withdrawal-fees#:~:text=The Philippines is officially the most expensive place,on average in the country%2C the study found.

 

"Outside Asia, Argentina is found to be the most expensive destination in the world to withdraw cash if you’re a foreign traveller, charging as high as 12.21% on average per ATM withdrawal.

Chile (5.52%), Iceland (4.6%), and Turkey (3.59%) are all on the high spectrum as well, Wise said. "

[Everyman]

2 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Need to use google better: https://asianbankingandfinance.net/news/which-countries-charge-highest-atm-withdrawal-fees#:~:text=The Philippines is officially the most expensive place,on average in the country%2C the study found.

 

"Outside Asia, Argentina is found to be the most expensive destination in the world to withdraw cash if you’re a foreign traveller, charging as high as 12.21% on average per ATM withdrawal.

Chile (5.52%), Iceland (4.6%), and Turkey (3.59%) are all on the high spectrum as well, Wise said. "

 

I am in the Philippines right now and can tell you it’s about 250 pesos which is about 160 baht. 
 

But i’m not sure since i never pay that seeing as i have a Filipino bank account. 

[donx]

8 hours ago, Everyman said:

 

Citi provides such refunds if you are in the “Gold” relationship tier with at least $200,000 US on deposit. 

Charles Schwab bank accounts do the same refunding of all ATM fees and there is no minimum balance. At least this was the case not long ago. Before my mother-in-law passed away in February 2023, my brother-in-law used one of our debit cards to get 10,000 baht each month to support my wife's mother. The ATM fees would be refunded at the end of each month.

[Scouse123]

Now, when I withdraw money with a card from a Cambodian account outside the country, I incur a $15 fee to my Cambodian bank and an additional 250 baht for using their ATM in Thailand.

 

That's 725 baht in total, roughly equivalent to the maximum amount a Thai ATM allows for a foreign card withdrawal, which is 20,000 baht per transaction.

 

 

[Everyman]

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

Now, when I withdraw money with a card from a Cambodian account outside the country, I incur a $15 fee to my Cambodian bank and an additional 250 baht for using their ATM in Thailand.

 

That's 725 baht in total, roughly equivalent to the maximum amount a Thai ATM allows for a foreign card withdrawal, which is 20,000 baht per transaction.

 

 

 

Really? $15? Which bank is that?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

Now, when I withdraw money with a card from a Cambodian account outside the country, I incur a $15 fee to my Cambodian bank and an additional 250 baht for using their ATM in Thailand.

 

That's 725 baht in total, roughly equivalent to the maximum amount a Thai ATM allows for a foreign card withdrawal, which is 20,000 baht per transaction.

 

 

fyi, ATMs belonging to Krungsri/Ayuthaya (the yellow bank) and the former TMB (blue bank) both allow maximum per withdrawal amounts of up to 30,000 baht (the 30K amount is even a preset option on their ATMs' withdrawal screen), assuming the home country debit card you're using has a daily withdrawal amount of $1,000 USD or more.

 

Right now, the 30K THB withdrawal works out to be about $930 USD...  But a lot of US bank debit cards have default daily maximum withdrawal amounts of only $500 or less.... But Schwab accounts typically have the $1,000 daily withdrawal limit for their debit cards.

 

PS - The major Thai banks have always set their ATM fees in unison, cartel style. Typically is done via the Thai Bankers Assn., presumably with some coordination/acceptance by the Bank of Thailand.  

 

We certainly wouldn't want there to be any actual competition between the different Thai major banks trying to differentiate themselves on the basis of lower (or higher) customer fees!!!  😞

 

 

[OJAS]

On 7/2/2025 at 11:43 AM, spidermike007 said:

There's been a lot of debate about that but if you send it to your Thai woman or to a Thai friend you can trust, according to attorneys I've spoken with it's a pretty effective work around. 

 

Wise should be avoided in this situation, though. When creating your Thai partner/friend as a new payee recipient they will insist on their name being recorded in the Latin format. But Thai names on Thai bank accounts are usually stated in Thai script, therefore leading to a mismatch which could prove problematical as Thai banks scrutinise financial transactions more closely.

 

This is likely the reason why my test transfer of just under ฿400 to my Thai wife's account failed a few days ago, despite Wise having sent the money to her Thai bank.

 

If, however, we are talking about single transfers of huge amounts, then SWIFT would appear to be the way forward in any event.

 

[Scouse123]

3 hours ago, Everyman said:

 

Really? $15? Which bank is that?

 

Canadia Bank in Cambodia and I use Krung Thai Bank in Thailand.

[Scouse123]

2 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

fyi, ATMs belonging to Krungsri/Ayuthaya (the yellow bank) and the former TMB (blue bank) both allow maximum per withdrawal amounts of up to 30,000 baht (the 30K amount is even a preset option on their ATMs' withdrawal screen), assuming the home country debit card you're using has a daily withdrawal amount of $1,000 USD or more.

 

Right now, the 30K THB withdrawal works out to be about $930 USD...  But a lot of US bank debit cards have default daily maximum withdrawal amounts of only $500 or less.... But Schwab accounts typically have the $1,000 daily withdrawal limit for their debit cards.

 

PS - The major Thai banks have always set their ATM fees in unison, cartel style. Typically is done via the Thai Bankers Assn., presumably with some coordination/acceptance by the Bank of Thailand.  

 

We certainly wouldn't want there to be any actual competition between the different Thai major banks trying to differentiate themselves on the basis of lower (or higher) customer fees!!!  😞

 

 

 

 

OK,

 

Thanks for that information.

 

It doesn't change my bottom line though of costing 725 baht for a 20,000 baht withdrawal.

 

Getting fleeced at both ends.

[Scouse123]

2 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

fyi, ATMs belonging to Krungsri/Ayuthaya (the yellow bank) and the former TMB (blue bank) both allow maximum per withdrawal amounts of up to 30,000 baht (the 30K amount is even a preset option on their ATMs' withdrawal screen), assuming the home country debit card you're using has a daily withdrawal amount of $1,000 USD or more.

 

Right now, the 30K THB withdrawal works out to be about $930 USD...  But a lot of US bank debit cards have default daily maximum withdrawal amounts of only $500 or less.... But Schwab accounts typically have the $1,000 daily withdrawal limit for their debit cards.

 

PS - The major Thai banks have always set their ATM fees in unison, cartel style. Typically is done via the Thai Bankers Assn., presumably with some coordination/acceptance by the Bank of Thailand.  

 

We certainly wouldn't want there to be any actual competition between the different Thai major banks trying to differentiate themselves on the basis of lower (or higher) customer fees!!!  😞

 

 

 

I use Krung Thai, and it used to say to me that was the maximum it would allow daily at 20,000 baht.

 

I won't be trying again at those fee charges, (250 baht to Thai ATM and $15 to my Cambodian bank) I'll just save it up in my account and withdraw in USD when I go to Cambodia.

 

Siem Reap has a great exchange rate shop to switch USD to THB

[Magictoad]

On 7/1/2025 at 9:56 AM, Harrisfan said:

Yeah it's called theft

Don't use them! I never use ATMs here.

[Magictoad]

8 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

I use Krung Thai, and it used to say to me that was the maximum it would allow daily at 20,000 baht.

 

I won't be trying again at those fee charges, (250 baht to Thai ATM and $15 to my Cambodian bank) I'll just save it up in my account and withdraw in USD when I go to Cambodia.

 

Siem Reap has a great exchange rate shop to switch USD to THB

Why do use foreign cards here?

[trainman34014]

On 7/1/2025 at 10:08 AM, KhunLA said:

Make sure you take out the max you bank / card allows, and get that increased to a much as the Thai ATMs will disperse.  

 

If I had to pay almost $8 to access only $500 of my own money, I'd be pissed 

 

Guessing AEON is still cheaper ???

Aeon have removed all their ATM'S from Thailand some months ago,  Please keep up with the news !

[Magictoad]

On 7/2/2025 at 4:20 PM, FritsSikkink said:

Need to use google better: https://asianbankingandfinance.net/news/which-countries-charge-highest-atm-withdrawal-fees#:~:text=The Philippines is officially the most expensive place,on average in the country%2C the study found.

 

"Outside Asia, Argentina is found to be the most expensive destination in the world to withdraw cash if you’re a foreign traveller, charging as high as 12.21% on average per ATM withdrawal.

Chile (5.52%), Iceland (4.6%), and Turkey (3.59%) are all on the high spectrum as well, Wise said. "

I still don't understand why people are using their home country bank card in Thailand.  It's so expensive 😫. It's easier and cheaper to open a Thai bank account.  And that helps with your visa! What am I missing?

[MarkyM3]

Magictoad....not everyone has a Thai bank account. Unless you're a retiree or working in Thailand it's near impossible to get one.

 

My UK bank cards are free of ATM fees in most countries and use the Mastercard rate but I can't escape the Thai ATM fee. It used to be free of charge up to 2009 so we are being had, basically.   

 

I pull out 20k baht at a time which minimises the impact (I would take more but that's the daily limit on UK cards) but the fee is still not justified, I can pull out money fee-free in Vietnam or Malaysia.

 

Meanwhile, the Thai authorities moan about lower tourism while their banking oligopoly pulls these stunts. 

[donx]

28 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

Magictoad....not everyone has a Thai bank account. Unless you're a retiree or working in Thailand it's near impossible to get one.

 

And not everyone on these forums live in Thailand year round. 

[sandyf]

On 7/1/2025 at 5:07 AM, spidermike007 said:

The fee relates to overseas accounts so a Thai would pay that fee also if withdrawing from an overseas account. No need to engage in bashing, that's not what this threat is about. 

Exactly.

And those withdrawing from an overseas account are not withdrawing the currency held in that account.

Minimum charges are becoming more and more the norm. Where I am at the moment the company that runs buses at nearest stop only sells day tickets, a bit much to go one stop.

Just like the bus, moving money is more economical in larger amounts.

[Scouse123]

7 hours ago, sandyf said:

Exactly.

And those withdrawing from an overseas account are not withdrawing the currency held in that account.

Minimum charges are becoming more and more the norm. Where I am at the moment the company that runs buses at nearest stop only sells day tickets, a bit much to go one stop.

Just like the bus, moving money is more economical in larger amounts.

 

Yes agreed,

 

But that is ' conditioning' they are making us all, just get used to it. The banking institutions are just trying to make it the new normal.

 

It doesn't make it justified.

 

This is why we should also fight to use cash, because once that option is removed, the banks will use it to their advantage to charge us any fees they can.

 

It sucks.

[Scouse123]

7 hours ago, sandyf said:

Exactly.

And those withdrawing from an overseas account are not withdrawing the currency held in that account.

 

 

Hang on,

 

We are already getting the exchange rate imposed on us by the banks for using foreign cards with whatever currency, before we start with the charges.

[Scouse123]

13 hours ago, Magictoad said:

Why do use foreign cards here?

 

I don't keep large amounts in Thailand any more.

 

I find it a pointless exercise with the lousy bank interest rates, so I sometimes draw on other accounts I have in the region, including Cambodia, but I won't bother now.

 

This started as a way to avoid transferring too much over here and getting caught in their tax incoming funds net.

 

Obviously, I will rethink the idea.

 

I'm off to Laos in less than two weeks, they use USD as well as Cambodia, I am not going with the border closure as I usually drive and park at Chong Chom.

 

I think the ATM rates are much fairer in Laos on USD.

[Keeps]

For those who it is possible to obtain a UK credit card it may be worth considering barclaycard rewards card.

 

No overseas ATM fee, 'clean' exchange rate AND 0.25% cashback reward. You actually end up in profit on the deal as long as you pay off the balance IN FULL every month.